Tell CDOT Why Widening I-70 in North Denver Is a Bad Idea

The fight over Colorado DOT’s billion-dollar-plus plan to widen I-70 is coming to a head. Many residents, especially of north Denver where the highway has spliced neighborhoods for years, have spoken against this project since around the turn of the century. They’ll bear the brunt of the additional noise and pollution, but widening the highway will also pump more traffic throughout the city.

Colorado DOT will host public hearings on the project this week. More on those and other events below.

Tuesday: I’ll be on Colorado Public Radio speaking with a Colorado DOT rep about the agency’s city-altering plan to widen I-70. After more than a decade of planning, the project is nearing the end of the federally mandated process, but that doesn’t mean creating more space for cars to clog the roads in and around north Denver is a good idea. Tune in to Colorado Matters on 90.1 FM to hear the conversation at 10 a.m.

Wednesday: Now that the roads agency has finished its environmental impact statement, Colorado DOT will host public hearings on the I-70 expansion. This is a chance to add your opinion to the record and let state and local officials know why spending more than a billion dollars to create more traffic is a bad idea. Before speaking, check out our coverage and Unite North Metro Denver. Bruce Randolph Middle School, 3955 Steele St. 5 – 8 p.m. Hearings in Aurora and Commerce City are on Monday and Tuesday.

Thursday: The Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee will host its monthly meeting. MBAC’s members advise Mayor Michael Hancock on all things biking, whether it’s about infrastructure, policy, or education. This is where people who ride often get together and decide what’s important to pedal the city’s bike friendliness forward. No need to be a member — the meetings are open to everyone. 201 W. Colfax Ave., Room 4.F.6 at 5:30 p.m.

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